Automatic toilet deodorizer



Feb. 25, 1969 M, BARCITA 3,428,970

AUTOMATIC TOILET DEODORIZER Filed June 28, 1966 Sheet 3 of 2 &

INVENTOR Jose M, Barcito F/G.5 BY W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,428,970 AUTOMATIC TOILET DEODORIZER Jose M. Barcita, 500 Patrick Ave., Richmond, Va. 23222 Filed June 28, 1966, Ser. No. 562,929 US. Cl. 4-223 Claims Int. Cl. E03d 9/02 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic toilet bowl deodorizer for use in combination with a conventional flush tank having a drain pipe connected between the flush tank and a toilet bowl and an overflow pipe mounted therein, the deodorizer being operable by the normal flushing of the flush tank for dispensing a measured amount of deodorant solution into the overflow pipe'. The deodorizer comprises a deodorant solution container, apparatus for mounting the container in the flush tank, a deodorant solution metering receptacle positioned in the container near the bottom thereof, a discharge conduit for connecting the metering receptacle to the overflow pipe and conducting deodorant solution from the receptacle to the overflow pipe, an inlet in said receptacle providing a communicating passage for solution from said container into said receptacle, a one-way valve in the inlet limiting the flow of deodorant solution to a direction from the container into the receptacle, and a pump connected to the receptacle via a tubing and adapted to be positioned in the water normally held in said flush tank. The pump being operable by the normal fall and rise of water in said flush tank during flushing and refilling thereof to vary the pressure within the receptacle and thereby to alternately cause deodorant solution to enter the metering receptacle through the inlet, and to cause deodorant solution to flow from the metering receptacle through the discharge conduit into the overflow pipe.

This invention relates to a novel automatic toilet deodorizer.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a more practical, more economical and generally more efiicient device of the kind indicated, wherein the deodorant needed is pumped directly to the toilet bowl, through the overflow pipe, instead of to the big amount of water inside the water supply tank.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toilet deodorizer completely automatic which starts to work after the toilet bowl is free of organic wastes.

Another important object of the invention is the pro vision of a device of the character indicated above, wherein the only power to actuate it is the water inside the water supply tank.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic device capable, according with long tests, of avoiding offensive odors, and providing the bathroom with a pleasant odor.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a toilet deodorizer capable, positively, of contributing to the common health by keeping the toilet bowl disinfected and cleaned.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be produced, packaged and sold in large quantities at a comparatively low cost available to everybody.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a device which is easy to install, and in which the pump, if desired, can be manufactured in one unit and fastened to the deodorant container.

3,428,970 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front longitudinal perspective view taken from the left corner of the well known water supply tank for toilets, of the type of low tank, showing the present invention installed.

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the pump 6.

FIGURES 3A-3D are cross sectional views of the measuring receptacle 3 showing its interior and different stages in the operation thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a semi bottom perspective view of the relatively small container 2, and cut away to show its interior.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the pump 6.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the check valved inlet 13 showing its position in relationship with the measuring receptacle 3.

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the valve disc 13' for closing and opening inlet 13.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a water supply tank for toilets (commonly called a flush tank) with a deodorizer made in accordance with the present invention mounted therein. The deodorizer includes a relatively small container drum 2 having a bottom, side and upper wall defining a hollow interior central storage compartment to store liquid deodorant. The container 2 has a fill opening and a removable top cover 14 provided for the purpose of refilling the container when it becomes emptied. A small vent hole 15 is provided near the top of the container 2 for the purpose of keeping the upper deodorant lever 23 under siphon breaker 9 and also to provide atmospheric pressure within the container.

A hollow, small, cylindrical metering receptacle 3 having bottom, side, and upper walls defining an interior storage compartment to store and dispense deodorant, is carried by the upper wall of the container 2 by means of the tubing helically coiled 4 and tubular conduit section 7 and is normally positioned vertically within the interior of the container 2 and close to the bottom wall.

The tubing coil 4 is extended from above the exterior wall of the drum 2 until the same level of the interior upper wall of the metering receptacle 3 for the purpose of getting a conduit to the exterior of drum 2 from the interior of the metering receptacle 3. The coiling form is for the purpose of avoiding suction of deodorant from the metering receptacle 3.

In the end of coil 4 above the exterior upper wall of container 2 a plastic hose 5 is connected. This small hose is for the purpose of making a conduit from pump 6. The pump 6 is clamped by clamp 17 to the well known overflow pipe 11. The pump 6 is located in vertical position deep into the water inside the well known water supply tank 1 between high level 18 and low level 19 shown in FIGURE 2. Now, pump 6, hose 5, tubing coil '4 and device 3 are forming one hermetically conductive unit. The coil 4 is made of a long tubing, of small, narrow enough diameter, for the purpose of not allowing suction of deodorant from the metering receptacle 3 thus avoiding the necessity of putting a small float valve in point 20 (FIG- URE 3A).

Pump 6 is made of a tube similar to the well known overflow pipe 11 but open at both ends and narrowed at the upper end for the purpose of connecting the smaller diameter hose 5.

From the same level as the tubing coil 4, toward the right side, another tubing 7 is supported from the upper wall of the container 2. The tubing 7 is straight, and of greater diameter than coil 4. It is extended in vertical position within the container 2, and through the upper wall of the measuring receptacle 3 close to the bottom wall but without touching the bottom wall 8.

A short and extremely small diameter tubing 9 is carried by the tubing 7 in acute angular relation thereto and slanted toward the interior upper wall of the container 2 and terminated close to the upper wall but without touching it. This small tubing is a syphon breaker for the purpose of letting air into tubing 7 to avoid siphon of deodorant through the tubing 7.

Another hose 10, wider than hose 5, has one end connected to the upper end of tubing 7 and its other end dropped inside the well known overflow pipe 11.

Tubing 7 and hose 10 are for the purpose of carrying deodorant from the metering receptacle 3 to the overflow pipe 11 and through it to the toilet bowl (not shown).

Referring black to the metering receptacle 3, small check valve 13 is located in inlet means 13 which provides a communicating passage for solution from the container 2 into the metering receptacle 3. Through this check valve 13' the metering receptacle 3 receives a measured amount of deodorant, but the deodorant never returns back through check valve 13'. The numeral 12 in FIGURE 1 designates the well known a'fterfill pipe provided in a flush tank. The hooked bracket 16 affixed to the container 2 is for mounting the container inside a flush tank 1 by hooking over the upper edge of the tank.

FIGURE 2 shows the pump 6 in correct position in relationship with the upper level 18 of water inside the water supply tank 1, and the approximate low level 19 of water in tank 1 after flushing and before the tank begins to refill.

The automatic operation of this invention will now be readily understood.

Supposing that the water supply tank 1 is filled and the container 2 is also filled up with deodorizer. The measuring receptacle 3 has deodorant inside at an approximate level 21 shown in FIGURE 3A. This level results because deodorant in container 2 under force of gravity opened the check valved inlet 13 and entered the measuring receptacle until it sealed the exit of tubing 8 near the bottom of the measuring receptacle 3. When the bottom end of tubing 8 is sealed a pressure equivalent to the gravity of deodorant is formed inside receptacle 3 and coil 4 because the water inside the pump 6 is also sealing the upper side of the pump 6. This pressure stops the inlet of deodorant. Now the toilet is flushed, and the water inside the pump 6 is descending together with the water in the flush tank 1. This action produces a suction in the measuring receptacle 3, through the hose 5 and coil 4 which is more than enough to open the check valve and fill up the measuring receptacle 3. FIGURE 3B shows the deodorant rising up within the receptacle 3 and check valve 13' open. When the measuring receptacle 3 is full the tubing coil 4 functions to avoid suction of deodorant across it. It is long and narrow enough to avoid suction of deodorant across it but wide enough to permit suction and pressure air.

When the flushing of tank 1 is complete the water in the tank is at the approximate level 19 shown in FIG- URE 2 and the level of deodorant in the measuring receptacle 3 is approximate line 21 shown in FIGURE 3C. The pump 6 is full of air. When the flush tank 1 begins to refill the water rising in the tank acts like a piston inside the pump 6. It is obvious that this action produces a pressure in the pump 6 enough to obligate the deodorant to rise up in tubing 7 and from there through the hose 10, to the overflow pipe 11, through which it flows together with the water from the afterfill pipe 12,. to the toilet bowl. Because of the extremely small diameter of siphon breaker 9 only a few drops of deodorant will drop through it returning to the container 2 when the deodorant is rushing through tubing 7.

When the deodorant in the measuring receptacle 3 has been forced out through the tubing 7 until the level of deodorant in the measuring receptacle has fallen below the bottom of the tubing 7, the deodorant already in tubing 7 continues to flow outwardly into the overflow pipe 11.

When the last deodorant in tubing 7 is above siphon breaker 9 the pressure within the metering receptacle 3 will be relieved by means of it but the deodorant will continue out of tubing 7 by siphon.

Immediately at the loss of pressure by tubing 9, the check valve 13 will be opened by the deodorant in container 2 under the force of gravity until it reaches to the first level 21 shown in FIGURE 3A. It is at this moment when the siphon breaker is necessary because if (for the purpose of example only) the siphon breaker were sealed at this moment the last amount of deodorant, dropping inside the overflow pipe 11 through the hose 10, would make siphon enough to keep the check valve 13 open, and obviously siphoning the total amount of deodorant from drum 2.

Now all is normal again as in the beginning. The water supply tank is full, the level 21 of deodorant in receptacle 3 is as shown in FIGURE 3A and the toilet bowl has been supplied with deodorant enough to keep it cleaned and disinfected with a pleasant odor.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing and while various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic toilet bowl deodorizer for use in combination with a conventional flush tank having a drain pipe connected between said flush tank and a toilet bowl, and an overflow pipe mounted therein, said deodorizer comprising a liquid deodorant container, means for mounting said container in said tank, and means operable by the normal flushing and refilling of said tank for dispensing a portion of the contents of said container into said overflow pipe, said means including a deodorant metering receptacle positioned in said container, discharge means for connecting said metering receptacle to said overflow pipe and conducting deodorant from said receptacle to said overflow pipe, inlet means in said receptacle providing a communicating passage for deodorant from said container into said receptacle, one way valve means in said inlet limiting the flow of deodorant to a direction from said container into said receptacle, and pumping means connected to said receptacle adapted to be positioned in the water normally held in said flush tank when said flush tank is full, said pumping means being operable by the normal fall and rise of water in said flush tank during flushing and refilling thereof to vary the pressure within the receptacle and thereby to alternately cause deodorant to enter the metering receptacle through said inlet, and to cause deodorant to flow from said metering receptacle through the discharge means into said overflow pipe.

2. The deodorizer set forth in claim 1 wherein said pumping means includes a length of hollow tubing having one free open end and a second open end connected by conduit means to said metering receptacle, said hollow tubing being adapted to be vertically mounted in said flush tank with its free open end down beneath the normal high level of water in said tank when said tank is full and above the normal low level of water in said tank when said tank has been flushed.

3. The deodorizer set forth in claim 2 wherein said hollow tubing is of a uniform diameter throughout a major portion of its length, and the second end thereof is reduced in diameter relative to said uniform diameter.

4. The deodorizer set forth in claim 2 wherein said conduit means includes a section of helically coiled tubing connected to said receptacle within said container for preventingthe suction of deodorant from said metering receptacle through said conduit means.

5. The deodorizer set forth in claim 1 wherein said discharge means includes an upright tubular conduit section connected to said receptacle Within said container, said tubular conduit section having siphon breaking means therein positioned above the normal level for deodorant in said container.

6. The deodorizer set forth in claim 5 wherein said siphon breaking means is a small diameter opening in the side wall of said upright tubular conduit section, the diameter of said opening being large enough to permit air flow therethrough, but small enough to limit the flow of deodorant therethrough to a few drops while the liquid content of said measuring receptacle is being discharged through said discharge means into said overflow pipe.

7. The deodorizer set forth in claim 5 wherein said container as it is adapted to be mounted in said flush tank by said mounting means includes a top Wall portion, a bottom wall portion and connecting walls defining a hollow interior in which deodorant solution can be confined, and wherein said receptacle includes a top, a bottom, and connecting walls defining a deodorant measuring chamber, said receptacle being supported within said container near the bottom wall portion thereof by said section of helically coiled tubing and by said tubular conduit section of said discharge means, one end of said tubular conduit section of said discharge means extending through the top wall of said receptacle to near the bottom thereof and the other end of said tubular conduit section extending through the top wall portion of said container, one end of said helically coiled tubing extending through the top wall of said receptacle and terminating approximate said top wall, and the other end of said helically coiled tubing extending through the top Wall portion of said container.

8. The deodorizer set forth in claim 7 wherein said inlet means is provided in the bottom wall of said receptacle.

9. The deodorizer set forth in claim 7 wherein said siphon breaking means includes a small diameter tubing connected to said tubular conduit section around said small diameter opening in said side wall, said small diameter tubing extending at an acute angle to said tubular conduit section and slanted toward the top wall of said container.

10. The deodorizer set forth in claim 7 wherein said container has a fill opening and a removable closure cap therefor, and a vent hole located near the top portion of said container in order to establish a maxi-mum level for deodorant Within said container and to expose the upper surface of said deodorant in said container to atmospheric pressure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,479,842 8/ 1949 Kirwan 4224 2,688,754 9/1954 Willits et a1 4--228 2,579,045 12/1951 Levitt 4228 2,708,754 5/1955 Hudgins 4225 2,812,119 11/1957 Bethune 222394 2,993,214 7/1961 Franco 4228 3,061,842 11/1962 Woodrulf 4225 SAMUEL ROTHBERG, Primary Examiner,

B. KILE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 4228 

